FINE WINES FROM CAMPANIA
5 Unique and Exclusive Reds and 5 Whites
What are the best Campania wines to buy?
Aglianico, Piedirosso, Falanghina, Greco di Tufo, Asprinio
d'Aversa... Campania wines offer a huge variety of grapes, practically all native.
The different Campania wine areas offer a range of tasting experiences truly suitable for everyone.
Campania is a very rich mine for those who love wine. In this article we see how to orient ourselves in understanding Campania wines and choosing quality bottles.
What are we talking about:
- Production areas of the finest wines
- The most common vines
- Native vines
- International vines
- DOCG, DOC and IGT recommended by our sommeliers
- The numbers of Campania wine
- 5 fine and exclusive red wines from Campania
- 5 fine and exclusive white wines from Campania
The production areas of the finest wines of Campania
The Campania region, predominantly hilly and mountainous, has various winemaking areas. The main ones are these:
Benevetano (BN)
The Benevetano area is the most important wine-growing area in Campania. It presents many specialized crops (Falanghina, Coda di Volpe, Fiano, Piedirosso, Aglianico) both for the important denominations: Aglianico del Taburno DOCG, Sannio DOC (with the sub-areas Taburno, Solopaca, Sant'Agata dei Goti, Guardia Sanframondi or Guardiolo), Falanghina del Sannio DOC.
Irpinia (AV)
Irpinia is a territory crossed by the Apennine ridge and characterized by these denominations: Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Greco di Tufo DOCG, Taurasi DOCG, Irpinia DOC. Also in the Avellino area, Greco di Tufo DOCG is produced, considered the "reddest" of the whites. It takes its name from the locality of the same name in the province of Avellino and is made up of Greek white (min. 85%) and Coda di Volpe (max. 15%) grown on soils rich in tuff-gypsum-sulphur, also in the sparkling type.
Casertano (CE)
The Casertano area is located on the border with Lazio, a territory of growing importance thanks to native vines such as Pallagrello nero and bianco, Casavecchia and Asprinio. The soils here are loose, rich in limestone, marl, volcanic ash and sandstone (the sands of Caiazzo). The denominations of the area: Aversa DOC, Galuccio DOC, Falerno del Massico DOC, Casavecchia di Pontelatone DOC.
Cilento (SE)
Cilento is an interesting and growing wine-growing area, characterized by mostly poor soils. The denominations are Cilento DOC, Castel San Lorenzo DOC.
Naples (NA)
Different realities coexist in the Neapolitan area: from the soils characterized by the siliceous sands of the Campi Flegrei to the lavas of Vesuvius, i.e. dark and crumbly soils rich in potassium, where the plants are almost everywhere "ungrafted", with the denominations Campi Flegrei DOC and Vesuvio DOC .
A curiosity: The Neapolitan city is the first in Italy for hectares of vineyards within the urban borders - the second in the world after Vienna - and these are also vineyards that are not affected by phylloxera, therefore still cultivated ungrafted. All this makes Naples' wine production a unique heritage in the world.
Islands and Sorrento peninsula (NA - SA):
Ischia, Procida and Capri are characterized by steep terrain, populated by typical terraced vineyards. Here, especially white grapes such as biancolella, forestera and falanghina are widespread. The denominations of the area are Ischia DOC and Capri DOC; Amalfi Coast DOC and Sorrento Peninsula DOC, with the sub-areas Gragnano, Lettere and Sorrento.
26.000
Hectares of vineyards
2.700
Organic hectares
1,476 million Hl
Produced in 2022
The most common vines
Campania is very rich in native vines . The region can count on a large number of native grapes that exceed those of the whole of France. In each district you come across dozens of varieties, clones, biotypes, widespread only locally and sometimes known with dialect terms. The prince of red grape varieties is Aglianico:
- Aglianico amaro or Taburno in the provinces of Benevento and Caserta;
- Aglianico di Taurasi in the province of Avellino;
- Aglianicone in the province of Salerno (Cilento);
- Aglianichello in the provinces of Naples.
Typical native vines
The native Campania vines are as follows:
🍷 Aglianico (the most widespread), Barbera del Sannio Casavecchia, Greco Nero, Guarnaccia, Pallagrello Nero, Piedirosso (Palombina), Sciascinoso (black berry).
🥂 Asprinio d'Aversa, Biancolella, Caprettone, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina (the most widespread white grape variety), Fiano, Forastera, Greco, Malvasia Bianca, Moscato Bianco, Pallagrello Bianco, Pepella, Ripoli or Ripolo (white berry).
International vines
In Campania wines it is rather unusual to find the presence of international grapes in the compositions. However, in regional production there are:
🍷 Sangiovese and Cesanese for the black berry;
🥂 White Malvasia regarding white grapes.
Which Campania wines to buy? DOCG, DOC and IGT recommended by our sommeliers
Campania boasts a wide variety of high-quality wines, within or without the most important denominations.
Taurasi DOCG is a prestigious red wine from Campania, produced with Aglianico grapes. It has an intense ruby red color and offers a complex aromatic bouquet. It is characterized by powerful tannins, good acidity and aging capacity. Ideal with meats, mature cheeses and Campania cuisine.
Irpinia Aglianico DOC is a red wine from Campania, produced with Aglianico grapes. It has an intense ruby red color, complex aromatic bouquet and a full-bodied structure. It pairs well with roast meats, game and mature cheeses.
Vesuvio DOC , produced at the foot of Vesuvius. Characterized by a complex bouquet, intense ruby red color and good structure. Ideal with meat dishes and mature cheeses.
Irpinia Piedirosso DOC , obtained from the native Piedirosso vine. Ruby red colour, fruity aromatic profile, light structure and freshness. It pairs well with light meat dishes and fresh cheeses.
Greco di Tufo DOCG , dry white wine of the highest quality. Straw yellow colour, floral and fruity aroma, lively acidity. Excellent with fish dishes, seafood and fresh cheeses.
Capri DOC , produced in both the white and red versions, with Mediterranean characteristics with freshness and liveliness. It pairs well with fish, seafood and salads.
Asprinio di Aversa DOC , dry white wine produced in the Aversa area. Little known but of the highest quality; ideal as an aperitif or with fish dishes, seafood and fresh cheeses.
Campi Flegrei DOC , both white and red, with fruity and mineral characteristics. It pairs well with fish dishes, seafood and fresh cheeses.
IGTs should absolutely not be underestimated, as they must be evaluated from time to time also based on how the individual wineries work.
An example? Epomeo IGT , a wine produced on the island of Ischia, in Campania. Both white and red, with typical island characteristics, including minerality and freshness. It pairs well with fish dishes, seafood and fresh cheeses.
1
DOCG
23
DOC
7
IGT
The numbers of Campania wine
In Campania there are approximately 26 thousand hectares of vineyards, divided as follows:
- Province of Benevento: approximately 10,500 hectares of vineyards (40.6% of the regional surface area);
- Province of Avellino: approximately 7,500 hectares (28.4% of the regional surface area);
- Province of Salerno: approximately 3,500 hectares (13.3% of the regional surface area);
- Province of Caserta: approximately 2,500 hectares (9.3% of the regional surface area);
- Metropolitan city of Naples: 2,149 hectares.
Red and rosé wines make up 54% of Campania's production, whites 46%.
The region boasts 4 DOCG, 15 DOC and 10 IGP .
Annual production is around 1,500,000 hectoliters of wine per year (in 2022 there were 1,476,000, ISTAT data ).
5 fine and exclusive Campanian red wines
Taurasi DOCG
Grapes:
From Aglianico grapes (other non-aromatic red grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the province of Avellino may contribute, up to a maximum of 15%).
Refinement:
Taurasi DOCG requires aging for at least 3 years, of which at least 1 in wooden barrels. The "reserve" type requires aging for at least 4 years, of which at least 18 months in wooden barrels.
Example in photo:
Taurasi | Meriggio Estate
Indicative bottle price: €23
Irpinia Aglianico DOC
Grapes:
Aglianico for at least 85%. The use of other non-aromatic grape varieties, both in combination and separately, of the same colour, up to a maximum of 15% is permitted.
Refinement:
Vinification and aging carried out within the entire administrative territory of the Sicily Region. The Riserva version ages for at least 2 years
Example in photo:
Aglianico | The sun and the wolf
Indicative bottle price: €14.50
Lacryma Christi Vesuvio DOC
Grapes:
Piedirosso (or Palombina) minimum 50%, Sciascinoso (or Olivella) maximum 30%, Aglianico up to a maximum of 20%.
Refinement:
At the discretion of the manufacturer.
Example in photo:
Lacryma Christi Lavarubra | Bosco de Medici
Indicative bottle price: €15
Epomeo IGT
Grapes:
Grapes from vineyards composed of one or more grape varieties of the same colour, red or white, suitable for the
province of Naples.
Refinement:
Discretionary and designed to confer quality to the product.
Example in photo:
Mavros | Dinnertime
Indicative bottle price: €24
Irpinia Piedirosso DOC
Grapes:
Pedirosso for at least 85%. The use of other non-aromatic grape varieties, both in combination and separately, of the same colour, up to a maximum of 15% is permitted.
Refinement:
Discretionary. In winemaking, only practices aimed at giving the wines their particular characteristics are allowed.
Example in photo:
Turci | Hill Cellar
Indicative bottle price: €23
5 fine and exclusive white wines from Campania
Greco di Tufo DOCG
Grapes:
Greek White minimum 85%; White Foxtail: maximum 15%. In the versions: white and sparkling wine.
Refinement:
Winemaking in the province of Avellino. Only quality winemaking practices are allowed, aimed at giving the wines their peculiar characteristics. In the sparkling version: aging for 36 months in the bottle.
Example in photo:
Greco di Tufo DOCG | The Ormere
Indicative bottle price: €19
Capri DOC
Grapes:
In the white version: Falanghina and Greco minimum 80% (Falanghina minimum 50%). Biancolella can also contribute up to a maximum of 20%.
Refinement:
To be carried out in the province of Naples. Refinement at the discretion of the producer, according to quality techniques.
Example in photo:
Capri White | Phoenician Staircase
Indicative bottle price: €26
Asprinio di Aversa DOC
Grapes:
Asprinio minimum 85%; Other non-aromatic white grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the respective provinces of Caserta and Naples may contribute, alone or together, up to a maximum of 15%. Available in white and sparkling wine versions
Refinement:
Not unique and at the discretion of the manufacturer.
Example in photo:
Asprinio d'Aversa Santa Patena | The Bourbons
Indicative bottle price: €26.5
Campi Flegrei DOC
Grapes:
In the white version: Falanghina 50-70% and other non-aromatic white grape varieties suitable for the province of Naples up to a maximum of 50%
Refinement:
Not unique and at the discretion of the manufacturer
Example in photo:
Cruna Delago Falanghina Campi Flegrei | The Sibyl
Indicative bottle price: €25
Falanghina Del Sannio DOC
Grapes:
Falanghina minimum 85%; for the remaining part, other non-white grape varieties can contribute
aromatic, suitable for cultivation in the province of Benevento, alone or together up to a maximum of 15%.
Refinement:
Not unique and at the discretion of the manufacturer
Example in photo:
Maiorano Falanghina Del Sannio | Pietreionne
Indicative bottle price: €17
Compose your box of Campania wines with the advice of our Sommeliers
Do you also want to discover the best bottles of Campania?
Get advice from our Sommeliers to explore the wine treasures of Campania thanks to selections designed based on your needs and tastes.
Our sommeliers, great connoisseurs of the wine treasures of Campania, will be at your disposal to guide you among the most prized and representative wines of the region. The box will be an authentic sensorial adventure, in which to explore the aromas, flavors and history of a territory behind every sip.
Whether you are an expert in the sector or a wine enthusiast looking for new experiences or even if you don't know Campania wines at all, our service will offer you a tailor-made selection, adapted to your desires. From full-bodied and intense red wines to fresh and mineral whites you will have the opportunity to create your own personal collection of Campania wines.
In addition to the quality and authenticity of niche wines, we offer a flexible service and deliver conveniently to your home.
Choose our personalized wine experience and let our sommeliers guide you towards discovering the most exclusive Campania wines. Trust our passion for wine and enjoy a unique journey into the heart of the winemaking tradition of one of the most important wine territories in Italy.
FAQ on Campania Fine Wines
How to understand which Campania wine to buy?
Finding your way among Campania wines is not easy because in addition to the quality of the wines, it is essential to know your own tastes in wines, and therefore understand which characteristics you like most and which least.
If you are not familiar with Campania wines, it is important to rely on experts who can guide you in purchasing and recommend the most suitable wines. For those approaching the world of wine, the advice is to first try the great classics, that is, the wines that have made the history of the region, starting with the bottles with a controlled and guaranteed designation of origin, including the Greco di Tufo DOCG and the Taurasi DOCG .
At a later time you can start to explore the wines of lesser-known Campania such as Asprinio di Aversa DOC for the whites Irpinia Piedirosso DOC , Aglianico DOC , Falanghina Del Sannio DOC .
Without forgetting the many quality IGTs.
Where to buy fine wines from Campania?
To buy fine wines from Campania there are various possibilities: you can physically go to a wine shop , you can take advantage of online e-commerce to save time, you can opt to purchase directly in the cellar , and even get advice from a dedicated sommelier using the service signed Sommelier Wine Box .
What are the best wines from Campania?
Campani is rich in wines and navigating between the denominations is not easy because the difference is made above all by the production methods and the quality that the winery puts into production, starting with the care of the vineyard.
Campania has various denominations of origin but real pearls can also be found outside the DOC and DOCG.
The advice is above all to look for wines from small, artisanal wineries, which produce with care and respect for the environment.
What are the typical vines of Campania?
The typical vines of Campania are these: white grape varieties Asprinio d'Aversa, Biancolella, Caprettone, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Forastera, Malvasia Bianca, Moscato Bianco, Greco, Pallagrello Bianco, Pepella, Ripoli or Ripolo, Trebbiano.
Black grapes: Aglianico, Aleatico, Barbera del Sannio Casavecchia, Cesanese, Greco Nero, Guarnaccia, Montepulciano, Olivella, Pallagrello Nero, Pedirosso (Palombina), Primitivo, Sangiovese, Sciascinoso, Tintore.
How many wineries are there in Campania?
There are around 450 registered bottling wineries in Campania, while there are over 50,000 registered agricultural companies in the Campania municipalities hosting vineyard areas, but if the company manages vineyards located in two or more municipalities it is counted several times.
What are the finest wines from Campania?
Campania produces many wines. Campania is a region renowned for the production of several high-quality wines. Among the most prized wines of Campania we find:
- Taurasi DOCG: Taurasi is one of the most prestigious wines of Campania, produced with Aglianico grapes. It is known for its complexity, structure and aging ability.
- Fiano di Avellino DOCG: Fiano di Avellino is a dry white wine that offers great elegance and complexity. It is appreciated for its intense aromas and aging capacity.
- Greco di Tufo DOCG: Greco di Tufo is a dry white wine characterized by a floral aroma and good acidity. It is known for its minerality and freshness.
- Aglianico del Taburno DOCG: Aglianico del Taburno is a red wine produced in the Taburno area. It has a complex structure, powerful tannins and good aging potential.
- Falerno del Massico DOC: Falerno del Massico is a red wine produced in the Massico area. It is a wine of great character and complexity, with an intense aromatic profile and a remarkable structure.
- Campi Flegrei DOC: Campi Flegrei is a wine produced in the Campi Flegrei area. It is both white and red, characterized by fruity and mineral notes.
These are just a few examples of fine wines from Campania, but the region offers a variety of other denominations and high-quality wines that are worth discovering.
Which DOC and DOCG wines are there in Campania?
In Campania there are 4 DOCG, 15 DOC and 10 IGP.
The DOCGs are: Aglianico del Taburno DOCG, Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Greco di Tufo DOCG, Taurasi
DOCG.
Controlled Designations of Origin (DOC): Aversa DOC, Campi Flegrei DOC, Capri DOC, Castel
San Lorenzo DOC, Cilento DOC, Costa d'Amalfi DOC, Falanghina del Sannio DOC, Falerno del Massico DOC, Galluccio DOC, Irpinia DOC, Ischia DOC, Penisola Sorrentina DOC, Sannio DOC, Vesuvio DOC.
Typical Geographical Indications (IGT): Beneventano IGT, Campania IGT, Paestum IGT, Pompeiano
IGT, Roccamonfina IGT, Terre del Volturno IGT, Colli di Salerno IGT, Dugenta IGT, Epomeo IGT, Catalanesca del Monte Somma IGT.
What wine is Taurasi?
Taurasi is a dry red wine produced in the Campania region. It is one of the region's controlled and guaranteed designations of origin (DOCG). The main grape variety used to produce Taurasi is Aglianico, which gives the wine a strong structure and character.
Taurasi is one of the most interesting, characterful and long-lived red wines in Italy. It is characterized by an intense ruby red color and a complex aromatic profile. Some of the typical aromas present in Taurasi include ripe red fruits, spices, herbs and earthy notes. In the mouth it is robust and full-bodied, with important tannins and good acidity.
Taurasi is known for its ability to age. It must be subjected to a mandatory aging period of at least three years, of which at least one in wooden barrels. In the "reserve" type it is aged for at least four years, of which at least eighteen months in wooden barrels.
It is a wine that pairs well with full-bodied dishes, especially meat, roasts and mature cheeses.
What wine is Fiano di Avellino?
Fiano di Avellino is a dry white wine produced in the Campania region.
The denomination requires it to be made with at least 85% Fiano, Greco and/or Coda di Volpe and/or Trebbiano Toscano (max 15%).
Fiano di Avellino has an intense straw yellow color. On the nose, it offers a complex aromatic profile with notes of fruit such as peach, apricot and citrus, accompanied by floral nuances. In the mouth it is full, soft and velvety, with a pleasant acidity.
Fiano di Avellino is an intense and easy to drink wine.
It pairs perfectly with a variety of equally tasty but not too structured dishes, including fish, seafood, fresh cheeses and vegetable dishes. Fiano di Avellino is considered a versatile wine that can be appreciated young for its freshness and complexity, but also aged to develop further aromatic nuances.
What wine is Aglianico?
It is one of the oldest and most representative vines of Southern Italy and is known for producing red wines of high quality and longevity.
The wines produced with Aglianico are characterized by an intense ruby red color and a great structure and complexity. Aglianico is a late ripening vine, when it reaches great concentration and intensity.
Aglianico del Taburno, DOCG from Campania, is characterized by intense aromas ranging from black fruits, such as dark cherries and plums, to spices, earthy notes, tobacco and chocolate. In the mouth, it is robust, with well-present tannins and good acidity. At the table, it requires equally characterful pairings, ideally with traditional Campania cuisine.
